After lunch, the three of them left Akihabara.
They took the train back to Chiba.
At the station, Ruri Gokou parted ways with the two of them.
Takumi Yuuya watched her retreating figure.
Kirino Kousaka did the same.
"Senpai… you said you're trying to win her over, but why does it feel like your relationship with her isn't special?" Kirino asked.
"I told her the exact same thing," Yuuya replied.
"Huh?"
"I told her I'm trying to win you over," he said casually.
"Ah?"
"So… technically, I'm dating both of you," he added, grinning as he took Kirino's small hand in his.
Kirino blinked, pouting.
"Senpai, you're hopeless."
"Now that Black Cat has left, do you want to go home or come to my place? If you come over, we can play the game you gave me together."
"I…"
"If you choose to go home, I'll just play with another girl," he said.
"No! That's the game I gave you—it has to be played with me," she insisted.
"Then let's go."
Yuuya released her hand and walked ahead.
Kirino, cheeks flushed, followed.
At Yuuya's apartment, he carried a laptop into the room, along with snacks and drinks.
Kirino sat on the edge of the bed, surveying the room.
Last time, she had been too sick to really look around. This time, fully aware, she wanted to take it all in.
Yuuya opened the laptop and started installing the game.
Noticing Kirino examining the room, he opened a drawer and tossed her an unopened manga.
Kirino blushed, turning her head away when she saw the cover.
"Senpai, I'm not interested in your collection," she said, flustered.
"I thought you were looking for this," he teased.
"I just wanted to see your room," she explained.
"Don't you want to really get to know me?" Yuuya asked, moving to sit beside her.
Kirino's cheeks turned crimson.
The next moment, Yuuya took her small hand in his.
"Do you feel like things are moving too fast? A little overwhelmed?"
"Y-you… how did you know?" she whispered.
"I can usually figure out a girl's thoughts… especially someone as straightforward as you," he replied.
"I… I haven't fully decided yet," she admitted softly.
Yuuya pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her hand.
"Don't worry. I won't hurt you easily. Once you're really my junior, don't refuse to stay over," he said.
"Senpai…"
"I may be hopeless, but I keep my promises. Without your permission, I'll never hurt you."
"I trust you, senpai," she said quietly, gazing at him.
Yuuya leaned in slowly.
She closed her eyes.
He kissed her.
"Kirino Kousaka favor +50""Kirino Kousaka favor +50""Kirino Kousaka favor +50"
The game finished installing.
Yuuya started playing, while Kirino rested against his chest. She gave no hints, but whenever certain scenes appeared, she shyly turned her head.
Yuuya looked down at her.
"Could you quit modeling? I was serious when I said I'd invest 200 million yen. You could write a light novel—I'd fund it. Turn it into an anime—I hold shares in the Fushikawa Bookstore. Investing would be easy," he explained.
"I… I haven't read that many light novels, and if you lose money…" she hesitated.
"If I lose, then you go on more dates with me and let me tease you more. Every girl gets at least 100 million yen, and if you have my child in the future, you'll receive ninety-nine billion yen in cash or assets at once."
"Senpai… do you really have that much money?"
"99 billion is for the future. The 100 million for now, I can handle easily," he said.
"I understand. I'll quit," she said, raising her face and giving a sweet smile.
Unlike Ayase Aragaki, she wasn't signed with an agency—she was a freelance model.
Yuuya saw her smile and kissed her.
Kirino froze for a moment before responding.
"Kirino Kousaka favor +50""Kirino Kousaka favor +50""Kirino Kousaka favor +50"
The kiss ended.
She turned toward the computer screen.
"Senpai, your route is wrong. Let me help you pick the best path," she said.
"Alright, you play," he replied, holding her close.
Her cheeks flushed.
By four in the afternoon, a photographer called to ask if Kirino was available for a shoot tomorrow.
Kirino glanced at Yuuya.
"Sorry, I'm giving up modeling," she said firmly.
"Huh?"
"My boyfriend gets a little jealous," she explained.
"Oh… I see. What a shame," the photographer said, accepting it without argument.
Yuuya watched as Kirino hung up.
"I really am a little jealous," he admitted.
"Oniichan, don't be jealous, okay?" Kirino said, voice playful, almost teasing.
Hearing "Oniichan," Yuuya smiled and lifted her chin.
"Good. Keep saying sweet things," he encouraged.
"Oniichan… you're hopeless," she whispered, cheeks bright red.
She knew he loved being called that.
Seeing her expression, Yuuya kissed her again.
"Kirino Kousaka favor +50""Kirino Kousaka favor +50""Kirino Kousaka favor +50"
The phone rang.
Yuuya glanced at her screen.
Kirino answered.
"Ayase, what's up?"
"Kirino, I heard from the photographer you quit modeling… Was it because of Senpai?"
"That, and other reasons," she said.
"Did Senpai give you a lot of money?"
"You could say that," she admitted.
"Kirino, you absolutely can't…"
Before Ayase could finish, Yuuya grabbed the phone.
"Ayase, what are you trying to say?"
"Senpai…"
"I'm kissing Kirino right now. You interrupted. I'm very angry," Yuuya said flatly.
"I… I didn't mean to," Ayase stammered.
"This is the only warning. Next time you interfere with my private time with Kirino, there won't be any mercy," he said.
"…."
Ayase was speechless.
Yuuya handed the phone back to Kirino.
She smiled.
"Ayase, that's it. I'm hanging up now."
"Mm," Ayase murmured.
Kirino hung up.
"Senpai, don't be mad," she said softly.
"Hm?"
"Oniichan, don't be mad anymore," she added, leaning closer and pressing a kiss to him.
"Kirino Kousaka favor +50""Kirino Kousaka favor +50""Kirino Kousaka favor +50"
By five in the afternoon, Yuuya rode his bicycle, with Kirino on the back.
They arrived near her house, and he stopped.
Kirino got off the bike.
"Senpai, I'll start working on my light novel seriously. I'll write something amazing," she said, her expression determined.
"Follow your interests. Whether the audience likes it doesn't matter. As long as you enjoy it," Yuuya said.
"I still want some of the audience to like it," she replied.
"Alright, I need to go. I have another girl to meet," he said.
"Hopeless senpai… goodbye."
"Goodbye, my little girlfriend."